Saturday night
the phone rings after dinner
an unfamiliar number
a daughter calling to say
her father has died
blessed saint of our church
on this All Saints Day
Holy God
all at once
the list of saints
in tomorrow’s bulletin
is one name too short
and one name too long
for all who grieve
for all their saints
for all your saints
we pray
Loving Father
have mercy on us
when we miss our dear ones
have mercy on us
when we haven’t said goodbye
have mercy on us
when we have to break the news
Kind Mother
hold on tight
when life shakes us
when loss shocks us
comfort the ache
with long-lost stories
remembered laughter
artifacts of love
we pray
love never leaves us
and so we thank you
for all the saints
Amen. 💜